S’wak Archives Building to cut document retrieval time from 30 to 3 mins with robotic system, a first in M’sia

KUCHING, Aug 7: The upcoming Sarawak Archives Building is set to revolutionise the management of government records by reducing document retrieval time from 30 minutes to just three minutes through the adoption of an advanced Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS).

Slated for completion by mid-2026, the facility, located on a 17.6-acre site adjacent to the existing Sarawak State Library in Petra Jaya here, is set to become the first in Malaysia to feature an ASRS dedicated solely to state archives, and the most modern and secure archival storage centre in the State.
Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg conducted a working visit to the project site yesterday to receive a comprehensive update on its progress and current status, including detailed briefings by the Public Works Department (JKR) Sarawak, project consultants, and contractors.
According to a fact sheet, the modern two-and-a-half-storey building will span a gross floor area of approximately 25,476 square metres, housing state government records and archival materials in a secure, climate-controlled, and systematically managed environment.

A key highlight of the facility is the incorporation of a 10,000 m² ASRS, which uses robotic automation to efficiently store and retrieve archival documents. The system is designed to reduce physical damage risks, enhance operational workflows, and retrieve documents within two to three minutes, depending on file location.

The archive building will also feature climate-controlled rooms for preserving fragile and sensitive materials.

A dedicated research and training centre will include lecture halls, experimental laboratories, an auditorium, and research spaces. In addition, public reading areas, exhibition galleries, a visitor centre, and orientation spaces will be provided to support public access and education.

Functionally, the facility will support the collection, preservation, and access to records of long-term value. It will also provide services for format migration, digitisation, and legacy media conversion.

Training and outreach on records management best practices will be offered alongside secure vault storage, fumigation services, and specialised laboratories for restoration and archival processing.

During the briefing, the Premier was updated on the project’s milestones, challenges and mitigation strategies, technological features, and the contributions of various project stakeholders.

The project is spearheaded by JKR Sarawak in collaboration with appointed consultants and contractors.

Once completed, the facility is poised to set a new benchmark in archival infrastructure, reinforcing Sarawak’s leadership in digital governance, transparency, and heritage preservation.